Method for providing master-slave heat-swapping apparatus and mechanism on a mono-ATA bus

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method for providing master-slave heat-swapping apparatus and mechanism in a mono-ATA bus, which mainly consists a bus controller and a bus separator for isolating the signals in the processing of heat swapping from the heat-swapping apparatus and the host system and for detecting the power supply and heat swapping process of mast and slave heat swapping apparatus and the host system for renewing a new one matter without cut-off the power supply as any of them is dysfunction.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for providing master-slave heat-swapping apparatus and mechanism on a mono-ATA bus. Particularly, a newly design for avoiding the confused data which caused by the power supply of master and slave heat-swapping devices been cut off, then a processes of heat-swapping will be shifted out, reconnected and restarting. Means under this an appropriate design which can overcome a maladapted design in heat swapping.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0002] Accordingly, ATA specification is a defined industry standard for ANSI, NCITS and T13 to develop and maintain IDE hard-disk machines (IDE hard-disk machines are extensively used in PC systems), CD-ROM drivers or other ATA/ATAPI devices. The latest specification is ATA/ATA-6 has defined a set of registers for communication between the host system and its related devices. Every of them is as operated devices and able to complete the specifically assigned commands, can adapt with controlling process and signals as well as transfer the protocols. This specification as a regulation for serving the said devices to connect with ATA buses for keeping in normal operation.

[0003] Generally speaking, as shown in FIG. 1, ATA bus (10) has three connectors (11), one of its ends is to connect the host system while other two ends are respectively to connect with the master-slave ATA devices (12,13) through the bus separator (14). Therefore, the mono-master device (12), mono-slave device (13) or a pair of master and slave devices (12, 13), any of or both of them are allowed to connect with the mono-ATA bus (10) respectively or other else. For reduce of complexity in the host controller and common been seen in this system-state as well as in IDE hard-disk machines of PC that is by using of a pair of master-slave devices (12,13) on the mono-ATA bus (10) for operation. Of its advantage is that the master device (12) and the slave device (13) are entirely controlled by the same bus controller (20)(as shown in drawing 2). Therefore, a lessened number of tips can be used in the bus controller (20) to decrease the costs.

[0004] When the power supply been switched on, every individual ATA device will self diagnose and since completed the said diagnosis, the slave device will report its state is normal or not to the master device (12) by connection of the signals of the master-slave devices (12,13). If the result of self-diagnosis were normal, a signal will be reported by PDIAG that is at logic “0” potential namely in grounded position. Oppositely, the report is logic “1” potential means the self-diagnosis is abnormal. As the host system desires to search the state of the slave device (13) but the master device (12) searches nothing means that the slave device (13) is in abnormal function or non-existence. Under this situation, the master device (12) must play a role as the slave device (13) and respond the searching-state of the slave device (13) to the host system.

[0005] Functioning of heat-swapping can be used in disk arrays or relevant applications fields, in repairing the troubled disk machine(s) that the power supply of the host system can be still in power on, in which the capacities of data processing and the system's stability must be increasing. But, in general, in order for making no damage on the system and its stalled devices under a general circumstance, system managers will separate the troubled disk machine(s) from ATA bus (10) and then take out the troubled disk machine from the system respectively by cut off the power supply. After, replacing a disk machine for trouble-shooting, then turning on the power supply by reconnecting to the system again for working.

[0006] An example as a pair of a master-slave devices (12,13) are operating onto the mono-ATA bus (10), when a dysfunctional master device (12) appeared in which having cut the power supply off, then again shifting out, reconnecting and restarting the processes of heat-swapping. But the power supply of slave device (13) is still on, in which the device (13) will not enter into the mode of self-diagnosis and has no result of self-diagnosis to report the master device (12) via PDIAG's signals. Under this circumstance, the just restarted master device (12) must misjudge that the slave device (13) is still in dysfunctional state. Then, as the host system tries to search the state of the slave device (13), the master device (12) will rule and follow the specification of ATA for operating and will play a role as the slave device (13). After, the master device (12) and slave device (13) will simultaneous respond the data onto ATA bus (10) which causing to data in confusing and the host system search error data, too. So, an adaptable function of heat swapping in the master device (12) and slave device (13) onto the mono-ATA bus (10) must be disclosed.

[0007] Accordingly, a chiefly object of the invention is to provide a method of master-salve heat-swapping apparatus and mechanism onto a mono-ATA bus, means for solving the above mentioned defects of master-salve heat swap apparatus in searching error data by the said process of heat swapping.

[0008] According, the invention chiefly consists of a bus controller and a bus separator for isolating the signals come from the heat swapping in processing of the heat swapping apparatus and the host system. A power supply switch for cutting off the power supply of heat swapping while in the said processes onto the heat-swapping apparatus. A logic “0” unit for generating a logic “0” potential and for onto as the signal of PDIAG's signal of ATA device since a completion process of heat swapping while the system is restarting. Restated the feature of the invention is that as any power supply of the master-slave heat-swapping device is cut off and the process of heat swapping will be shifted out, reconnected and restarted, in which the master device will be informed a logic “0” state and report the host system that the slave device is in a normal condition. Thus, in the said process of heat swapping, the master and slave device will simultaneous respond the data onto the ATA bus, means the confused data and inadaptablity of heat swapping can be avoided.

[0009] As mentioned above, the logic “0”unit is a resistance by means of its grounded connection to form a logic “0” and as a PDIAG'signal for transferring onto ATA bus. Therefore, the extra costs can be decreased and the complexity of electric circuits can be simplified.

[0010] These objects, the structural design and technical method of the present invention will become apparent and further understand its features when reference is had to the accompanying drawings and detailed description.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic sketch of ATA bus and its connection devices.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic sketch of the structure of ATA heat-swapping apparatus.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the method of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF ITEMS

[0014] 10—ATA bus 11—connector

[0015] 14—bus separator 12—master ATA device

[0016] 13—slave ATA device 20—bus controller

[0017] 21—power supply switch 22—logic “0” unit.

[0018] 30—heat-swapping apparatus (devices of master ATA and slave ATA)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0019] As mentioned above, ATA bus (10) has three connectors, of its one end is to connect with the host system and other two ends are respectively to connect with the master device (12) and slave device (13). Saying the process of heat swapping is to attempt to shift a certain ATA device out of the ATA bus, but the host system's power supply is still on. In order to protect the host system and ATA devices being damaged by cutting off the power supply or noisy signals. Means, in general, by cutting the power supply off and using of the bus separator (14) for isolating all ATA signals which been connected with the ATA's signals of the host system, then shifting the said devices out. Hence, a safety in all devices of entire system can be secured. Under such a premise, an example of practice in the present invention is detailed described and shown as FIG. 2.

[0020] Shown as FIG. 2, the invention provides the heat devices as follows:

[0021] A bus controller (20) and a bus separator (14) for utilizing to isolate the signals of the heat-swapping apparatus (30) (including the master device 12 and slave device 13) and the process of heat swapping in the host system.

[0022] A power supply switch (21) for cutting the power supply during the process of heat swapping in the heat-swapping apparatus.

[0023] A logic “0” unit (22) serves as a completion process of heat swapping, then, while restarting the host system which will generate a logic “0” potential onto PDIAG' device and as signal usage of PDIAG's.

[0024] For example, the logic “0” unit (22) can be a resistance which is using of a connection between the PDIAG's signals of the heat-swapping apparatus and the grounded wire, in which the PDIAG's signals can be set at logic “0” potential.

[0025] Please refer to FIG. 3 shown a flow chart is incorporated. As the user needs to proceed the process of heat swapping to either of the master device (12) or the slave device (13). Firstly, the power supply switch (21) must be turned off for setting the heat-swapping apparatus (30) in no power supply to ensure it in a safe sate (shown as step a). Following by, to let the connection signals between the heat-swapping apparatus (30) and the host system via the bus controller (20) and bus separator (14) for isolating (shown as step b). Then, shifting the unavailable heat-swapping apparatus (30) off, replacing an available heat-swapping apparatus (30) for connecting the bus (10) of ATA and restarting the host system for waiting the next process of heat swap. Since the host system is reworked, the logic “0” unit (22) will transfer the logic “0” potential to PDIAG for signal's usage (shown as step c). Hence, the master device (12) will not play a role as the slave device (13) and instead of the said device (13) for solving the inadaptablity of heat swapping in the operation of the master and slave device (12,13) onto a mono-ATA bus, means that chaos data occurred by the said signal presented on both of the said two device (12, 13) and simultaneous responded to the ATA's bus (10). As the said signal passes through the process of heat swapping of the slave device (13), the logic “0” unit (22) of logic “0” potential's state will not interfere its normal operation (shown as step e). Moreover, a state of self-diagnosis after re-start the system can be operated by means of the software for searching all of connection devices' states on the ATA's bus (10).

[0026] Otherwise, a grounding approach of the said logic “0” unit (22) that is to direct connect the PDIAG's signal with logic “0” potential, means by using of a simple and easy electric circuit in the host system for searching the provided logic “0” potential of master and slave device onto the PDIAG'signal to conform the requirement of patent application.

[0027] Summarizing the above mentioned, the invention provides a method for providing master-slave heat-swapping apparatus and mechanism on a mono-ATA bus, means via the provided logic “0” potential onto the PDIAG's signal ATA device, in which the master device must not play a role as, and instead of, the slave device under any situation. Furthermore, the said method can avoid the confused data due to a maladapted function of heat swapping as well as a effective solution and policy for overcoming the defects of the process of heat swapping on a mono-ATA bus that conforms to the regulations specified in the Patent Law. We wish the Committee could give a considerable examination, hopefully the application will grant a patent and will interest and benefit on the human life.

[0028] Although the techniques, drawings, programs and control methods of the present invention have been illustrated and described perilously with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it should be appreciated that it is in no way limited to the details of such embodiments, but is capable of numerous modification within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is
 1. An apparatus for providing the master and slave heat-swapping apparatus and mechanism on a mono-ATA bus, consist: A bus controller and a bus separator for isolating the signals of the heat-swapping apparatus and the host system while in heat swapping; A power supply switch for cutting off the power supply while a heat swapping process onto the heat swapping apparatus, and A logic “0” unit for connecting the PDIAG's signals of the heat-swapping apparatus and the ground wire and to set PDIAG's signals at logic “0” to ensure the slave device is in normal condition.
 2. According to claim 1, a method for providing master-slave heat-swapping apparatus and mechanism on a mono-ATA bus, of the logic “0” unit is a resistance.
 3. According to claim 1, a method for providing master-slave heat-swapping apparatus and mechanism on a mono-ATA bus, of the logic “0” unit is a logic circuit.
 4. A method for proving master-slave heat-swapping apparatus and mechanism on a mono-ATA bus, when completed a process of heat swap and restarting the host system hereof, the logic “0” unite will generate a logic “0” state onto the PDIAG of ATA's devices as signal's usage to respond the host system that the slave device is normal. 